Reset timer

ABSTRACT

A spring return type timer in which a timing gear is bodily carried by a solenoid operated lever which shifts it into and out of mesh with a motor driven pinion. This shiftable timing gear directly actuates a snap switch. The lever carries a field removable tab which holds the switch in actuated position when the lever releases the clutch, and releases the switch to control by the timer when the clutch is engaged. The tab when used causes the timer to serve as an interval timer. Removal of the tab from active position converts the timer to a delay timer. In an alternative unit, the lever is actuated by a push button. Here the lever tab serves to prevent start of a cycle until the push button is released.

United States Patent Mahon 1 1 Jan. 23., 1973 [541 RESET TIMER 2,858,38810/1958 Eastman ..335/77 [75] Inventor: Joseph J. Mahon, Wauwatosa, Wis.

Primary Examiner-Harold Broome [73] Assignee: Deltrol Corp., Bellwood,lll. Atmmey JOhn L Harris [22] Filed: Oct. 18, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT [21]Appl. No.: 190,247

A spring return type timer in which a timing gear is bodily carried by asolenoid operated lever which a [58] Field of Search "335/59, 62, 64,65, 68, 69 pinion. This shiftable timmg gear directly actuates a 335/70,71 72, 73 74, 75 76; 200/38 39; snap switch. The lever carries a fieldremovable tab 58/395; 307/141 which holds the switch in actuatedposition when the lever releases the clutch, and releases the switch to[56] References Cited control by the timer when the clutch is engaged.The tab when used causes the timer to serve as an interval UNITED STATESPATENTS timer. Removal of the tab from active position con 1,041,716 101912 Burnham ..335/75 the time a delay time an alternative nit,2,792,468 5/1957 Kozikowski the lever is actuated by a push button. Herethe lever' 3,284,734 11/1966 Schleicher ..335/68 tab serves to preventstart of a cycle until the push 2,325,860 8/1943 Kizaur ..335/75 buttonis released. 3,04l,480 6/l962 Holzer ....307/l4l 2,957,962 10/1960Hanstein et al ..335/74 10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures INTERVAL TIMER ATSTANDBY PAIENTEUJ/m23 I975 3,713,053

SHEET 1 OF 2 OFF DELAY TIMER PUSH B TIMER INVENTOR.

JOSEPH I MAHO/V ATTOR N EY PAIENIEDJMI 2 3 I975 SIIEEI 2 [IF 2 INTERVALTIMING MOMENTNQY CONTACT START f1 r TCM5 IZ L-l ON DELAY TIMING INTERVALTIMING SUSTAINED PILOT CIIZCU IT CLOS U RE.

OFF DELAY TIMI N6 INV EN TOR.

JOSEPH J MAHON ATTORNEY RESET TIMER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to spring return automatic reset timers of intervaland delay types.

Automatic reset timers as known in the art include a timing member whichis motor driven in timing direction through a clutch and actuates aswitch at the end of the cycle. On release of the clutch, a returnspring returns the timing member to a reset stop which is the startingpoint of the next cycle. The motor and clutch of this type of timer areusually controlled by a remote switch.

In some applications it is required that something happen apredetermined time after something else occurs. For example, to start asecond motor seconds after the start of a first motor. Here, nothinghappens until the end of the time delay. This type of timing is known inthe art as delay timing and timers performing this function are known asdelay timers.

In other applications it is required to start something in responsive toa control signal and to stop it after a predetermined time. For example,to start a motor on closure of a control circuit and to stop it secondslater. Here the timer switch closes instantly and reopens after apredetermined interval. This is known as interval timing and timersperforming this function are called interval timers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION One object of the invention is to provide asimplified automatic reset timer in which the clutch is an integral partof the gear train between the motor and timing element.

In the invention disclosed, the final gear of the train is an integralpart of the timing element. This timing gear directly actuates a snapswitch operator and is shifted bodily from disengagement with itsdriving pinion. This constitutes a clutch allowing a reset spring toreturn the timing gear to its starting position against an adjustablereset stop when the clutch is disengaged. This arrangement in which thetiming element is an actual part of the clutch reduces the partsrequired to a minimum.

'A further object of the invention is the provision for adjustment ofthe reset stop in either direction during a timing cycle with the clutchengaged. This is accomplished by arranging the drive pinion to cam awayfrom the timing gear when this gear is manually rotated in shorteningthe time setting when the clutch is engaged. This same arrangement camsthe pinion into the gear during normal driving, thus providing apositive one way drive in which the gear engagement is self energizing.Binding that would be caused in releasing the gears by this selfenergizing effect is avoided by the arrangement in which the timing gearis moved bodily away from the drive pinion in a substantially radialdirection.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a construction inwhich the same components can be used for building either an intervaltimer or a delay timer.

In the device of the invention, an electro magnet actuates a leverbodily carrying the timing gear. The timing gear actuates a snap switchlever to open it at the end of the cycle. The lever also carries a tabactuating the snap switch directly. This tab when in use causes theelectro magnet to actuate the switch to open position and hold it openindependently of the timer. This provides instantaneous switch actuationby the electro magnet to start a cycle and timer operation to end it,giving interval timing. This tab is arranged so that it may be bent toan inactive position either at the factory or in the field. When this isdone, the timer alone controls the position of the switch and the timerbecomes a delay timer.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detaileddescription and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation with the mainportion of the front plate removed of a timer embodying the inventionset up for interval timing and with the parts in the positions assumedwhen the timer is at standby.

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the device in FIG. 1 but showing theparts in the position assumed when the timer is timed out.

FIG. 4 is a view of the same device as FIG. 1 but set up as a delaytimer.

FIG. 5 is a front view with the front plate removed of a timer arrangedfor off delay timing.

FIG. 6 is a front view with the front plate removed of the same timer asFIG. 1 but set up for direct push button control.

FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 8, 9, l0 and 11 are wiring diagrams showing applications of thetimers shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, referencecharacter 1 indicates a surface mounting bracket of U-shapedconfiguration having side members 2, mounting flanges 3, and a flatportion 4 which serves as a rear mounting plate for the timer mechanism.A timer motor 5 is mounted at the rear of plate 4 between the mountingflanges and has a pinion 6 extending through plate 4 into drivingrelationship with a gear 7 mounted on a pinion 8. The pinion 8 extendsbetween the back plate 4 and a front plate 9 which is attached to theback plate at its upper end by a spacer 10. The lower end of plate 4carries a snap switch 12 which is also attached to and serves to supportthe lower end of front plate 9. Suitable barriers 13 are providedbetween the switch 12 and plates 4 and 9, these barriers serving toprovide adequate electrical clearance between these plates and theterminal tabs 14, 15 and 16 of the switch which preferably is of thesingle pole single throw type.

Mounted on the back plate 4 is a stud 18 carrying a bearing 19 whichsupports a lever 20 which extends parallel to plate 4 and is adjacentthereto. This lever 20 carries a stud 21 supporting the timing gear 22.This timing gear is provided with a suitable hub fitting over stud 21and carrying a reset spring 23. The timing gear also is provided with anoperating pin 24 which extends rearwardly and is arranged to engage theoperating lever 25 which is pivotally attached to the snap switch 12 at26 and actuates the snap switch plunger 27. The return spring 23 for thetiming gear 22 is of the torsion type, one leg bearing on the pin 24 andthe other leg being suitably attached to the lever 20. This springserves to bias the timing gear 22 in a clockwise direction against areset stop which serves as the starting point for a timing cycle. Tothis end the timing gear 22 carries a bracket 28 which is stopped by areset stop comprising an ring 29 mounted on a lever 30 rigidly attachedto adjusting shaft 31 which extends through the front plate 9. Thisshaft bears upon a tension spring 32 in front of the front plate whichpermits rotation of the shaft 31 by a suitable knob (not shown) and isheld in adjusted position by the tension of spring 32. The lever 20which bodily carries the timing gear 22 is biased counterclockwise by aspring 34 which is of a torsion type and carried by the bearing 19 whichsupports lever 20. One leg of this spring bears against the snap switch12 and the other leg bears against a suitable stud (not shown) carriedby lever 20. The forward end of lever 20 is formed inwardly as at 35 andtits into a slot 36 formed in a plunger 37 of solenoid 38 which ismounted on the back plate 4 of the mechanism. It will be apparent thatenergization of the solenoid 38 causes its plunger 37 to rise whichrotates the lever 20 clockwise about stud 18, this carrying the timinggear bodily upwardly into engagement with the pinion 8. Deenergizationof the solenoid allows the spring 34 to rotate lever 20counterclockwise, disengaging the gear 22 from pinion 7.

The front end of the pinion 8 is formed with a bearing portion 40 whichis supported in a slot 41 formed in the front plate 9. A U-shaped spring42 is supported by studs 43 attached to the front plate and the end ofthis spring serves as a yieldable locator for holding the bearingportion 40 at the bottom of slot 41.

The inturned portion 35 of lever 20 which fits into the solenoid plungeralso includes a tab portion 45 which is bent downwardly into engagementwith the switch lever 25 and serves to hold this lever depressed whenthe solenoid 38 is deenergized. This tab in its active position as shownserves to cause the timer to act as an interval timer. This tab 45 ispreferably designed so that it is easily deformed into an inoperativeposition by the insertion of a tool between the timer front and backplates. When this tab is deformed into an inoperative position, thetimer is converted to a delay timer.

OPERATION OF FIGS. 1 AND 2 If interval timing operation is desired inwhich the timer is started by momentary closure of a pilot switch, theunit is wired as shown in FIG. 8. The timer solenoid 38 is connectedbetween line wires 50 and 51 in circuit with a normally open push buttonswitch 52 and a nor mally closed push button switch 53. The timer switch12 is connected with its common terminal to line wire 50 and its timedclosed terminal 54 to the timer motor and the load L.

FIG. 1 shows the parts in the standby position in which the solenoid isdeenergized. This has caused the switch lever 25 to be depressed by thetab 45. Also it has caused the timing gear 22 to be disengaged from thedrive pinion 8 allowing the reset spring to return the timing gear tostarting position in which the bracket 28 engages the reset stop 29.

Start of a time cycle is caused by momentarily depressing the pushbutton switch 52 which energizes the solenoid 38. This lifts the tab 45off the switch operator 25 allowing the switch 12 to close energizingcontact 54. This energizes the timer motor 5 and load L. It alsoestablishes a maintaining circuit for the solenoid through the interlockconnection 55. The push button 52 thus may be immediately released andthe solenoid 38 will remain energized due to its having operated theswitch 12. The load is now energized and the timer motor runs. Due tothe energization of the solenoid 38 also having lifted the timing gear22 into engagement with its drive pinion, the clutch formed by the gearand pinion is engaged and the gear is driven in a counterclockwisedirection until the pin 24 engages the switch operator 25 and causes itto actuate the switch to open position. Just before the switch isactuated with the circuit described, the parts are in the position shownin FIG. 3. When the switch opens, it deenerv gizes the timer motor, theload and also the solenoid 38. The solenoid now drops back to theposition shown in FIG. 1 in which the tab 45 depresses the switchoperating means and the clutch gears are disengaged allowing the timerto reset back to the starting position.

Using the diagram of FIG. 8, a time cycle can be cancelled anytime inprogress by depressing the off push button 53. This deenergizes thesolenoid which drops out, returning the switch 12 to open position andalso disengaging the clutch allowing the timer to reset to its startingposition.

If the timing requirement calls for timer operation and response to asustained control circuit closure, the timer is wired as shown in FIG.9. Here the interlock 55 is omitted and the solenoid 38 is controlled bya sustained closure switch 56. When the switch 56 is closed, thesolenoid 38 is energized, lifting lever 20 engaging the clutch gears andalso transferring switch 12 by removing tab 45 from switch operator 25.The timer now drives through its cycle until it reaches the timed outposition shown in FIG. 3. Here the timer switch is transferreddeenergizing the load and stopping the timer motor. However the solenoid38 remains energized due to the sustained contact switch 56 still beingclosed.

When switch 56 opens, the solenoid 58 drops out which releases theclutch allowing the timer to reset. Before this happens however the tab45 on the solenoid lever engages the switch operator 25 and holds itdepressed. Thus when the control switch 56 opens, the solenoid drops outand resets the timer. However the solenoid itself now holds the switchopen ready for the next cycle.

With the circuit shown in FIG. 9, opening the switch 56 anytime duringthe cycle will cancel out the time cycle causing the switch 12 to reopenand the timing mechanism to return to the starting position.

The end portion 57 of the switch operator lever 25 is off set so as tobe generally parallel with the movement of pin 24 when this pin is atthe switch operating point and is moved laterally in clutch disengagingdirection by the solenoid dropping out. This arrangement of the partsinsures that the clutch gears disengage without requiring any movementof the switch operator. This arrangement also minimizes any errors inlocation of the clutch gear at the end of the cycle, as no matter whatthe position of the solenoid lever, the pin 24 will trip the switch atthe same angular position.

It should also be noted that the angle of the slot 41 allows the pinion8 to be cammed out of the path of the teeth of gear 22 when this gear isrotated counterdisengagement is caused by a separate motion of thetiming gear in being bodily moved away from the pinion.

DELAYED TIMING If delay timing is required, the solenoid lever tab 45 isbent to an inactive position as shown in FIG. 4 and the timer is wiredas shown in FIG. 10. By making tab 45 inactive, the direct control bythe solenoid on the timer switch is eliminated and the timer switch iscontrolled only by the position of the timing means 22. FIG. 4 shows theposition of the delay timer in the stand-by condition. Here the solenoidis deenergized and the clutch is disengaged causing the timing mechanismto assume the reset position. The timer switch is closed to its topcontacts. However the timer motor 5 and load L are deenergized due tothe control switch 57 being open.

Closure of control switch 57 starts a time cycle by energizing thesolenoid 38 and the timer motor 5 through the upper contacts of switch12. Load L at this time is energized by closure of the control switch 57and is not effected by the switch 12 which has not moved.

The timer runs through its cycle and reaches the timed out positionshown in FIG. 3 in which the switch transfers, deenergizing load L andthe timer motor, and energizing load L-l. Load L-l will now remainenergized as long as the control switch 57 is closed. When this switchopens, the solenoid 38 is deenergized which releases the clutch andallows the timer to reset. This resetting motion of the timer causes theswitch to transfer back to the position shown in FIG. 10. Howevernothing happens now as the. switch 57 is open.

The timing action described above is known in the art as delay timing asthe solenoid is energized on and during the timing cycle. In someapplications, the reverse action is needed in which a time cycle isstarted in response to deenergization of the timer solenoid. Where suchoperation is needed, the timer is constructed as shown in FIG. 5 and iswired as shown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 5, two levers are used. One lever 60is carried by the case stud l8 and carries the gear bearing 61 whichbodily carries the timing gear 22. A second lever 62 is pivoted on thegear bearing 61. The lever 62 extends toward and is operated by thesolenoid plunger 37. This lever pivots about a stationary stud 63attached to the back plate 4. When the solenoid is energized as shown inFIG. 5, the lever 62 is pulled upwardly by the solenoid plunger andpivots about the stud 63 causing the right hand end of lever 62 to movedownwardly. This downward movement causes downward movement of the lever60 for disengaging the clutch. In effect the intermediate lever 62serves to reverse the action of the solenoid on the main solenoid lever60.

Referring to the wiring diagram of FIG. 11 this type of timing requiresa double throw control switch 64. One side of this switch energizes thesolenoid 38 and the other side feeds the timer switch 12. The parts areshown in the off position in which the control switch 64 has energizedsolenoid and broken the circuit to timer switch 12' so that both loadsand the timer motor are deenergized. When the control switch 64 istransferred it starts a timing cycle by deenergizing the solenoid 38 andapplying power to the switch 12 which in turn energizes load L and thetimer motor 5. The deenergization of the solenoid 38 shifted the timinggear 22 into driving relationship with its drive pinion and the timerruns to its timed out position at which the timing means depresses theswitch operator 25. This deenergizes the timer motor and load L andenergizes load L-l. The timer will remain in this condition until theload switch 64 is transferred back to its initial position. This breaksthe circuit to timer switch 12 and also energizes the solenoid 38causing it to release the clutch and allow the timing means to reset.

PUSH BUTTON OPERATION FIGS. 6 and 7 show the basic mechanism is used ona push button timer. Here the solenoid is omitted and the lever 65carrying the timing gear 22 is actuated by a push button 66 whichextends between the back plate 4 and front plate 9. The push button 66is provided with an enlarged camming surface 67 which bears against theformed end 68 of lever 65. This lever is also provided with a tab 450which extends into operating relationship with the switch operator 25. Aspring 69 at the back of the large camming portion of the push buttonserves to push the push button to its forward position.

In operation, a timing cycle is started by pushing button 66. This earnsthe left hand end of lever 65 downwardly, which motion first engages tab45a with switch lever 25 holding the switch open. Further motion of thepush button releases the clutch gears 22 7 and the timer returns to itsstarting position. When the push button is released, the lever 65rotates clockwise which engages the clutch gears and releases the switchoperator allowing the switch to close and energize the timer motor andload. The timer now runs back to the timed out position which is shownin FIG. 6. With this construction, the off position of the timer is thetimed out position and a time cycle is started by releasing the clutchallowing the timer to reset. The tab 45a in this application serves toprevent the timer switch from closing until the push button is releasedthus avoiding any repeating operations from a sticking push button.

While preferred forms of the invention have been shown and described itis obvious that many changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a timing device, a control device having an actuating element, atiming gear having a bearing about which it rotates, a drive geararranged for engagement with the timing gear for driving the same whenthe gears are engaged, spring means for driving the timing gear when thegearsare disengaged, means including an operator carried by said timinggear for moving the actuating element of the control device when thetiming gear is driven to a predetermined angle of rotation, and meansfor disengaging the gears laterally for allowing movement of the timinggear by the spring means, said disengaging means bodily carrying saidbearing and moving the timing gear laterally away from the' drive gearsaid drive gear being yieldably supported and movable in a direction inwhich the driving force pulls it into engagement with the timing gear,and allows advancing of the timing gear faster than driven by the drivegear.

2. The combination recited in claim I in which the disengaging meansmoves the bearing in a direction causing the engaging gear teeth on thetiming gear to move substantially radially from the engaging gear teethon the drive gear, thereby separating the gears without rotation of thetiming gear.

3. In time control means, the combination of, a control device having'anoperator, said control device assuming one control position when theoperator is in a first position and assuming a second control positionwhen the operator is in a second position, timing means, a motor, motiontransmitting means between the timing means and motor including clutchmeans, means controlled by the timing means when the clutch means isengaged for actuating said operator from said first position to thesecond position when the timing means reaches timed out position,electro-magnetic control means having a first position and a secondposition, means actuated when the electro-magnetic means is in its firstposition to engage the clutch means and to disengage the clutch means onmovement of the electromagnetic means to its second position, and meansactuated on movement of the electro-magnetic means to said secondposition for holding said switch operator in its second positionindependently of the timing position of the timing means.

4. The combination recited in claim 3 in which the control deviceincludes a switch having a control effect on the electro-magnetic means.

5. The combination recited in claim 3 in which the control deviceincludes a switch which is caused to be open either by the timing meansin itstimed out position or by the electro-magnetic means beingdeenergized, the switch closing when the electro-magnetic means isenergized, and circuit means whereby closure of the switch maintains theelectromagnetic means energized.

6. In a timing device, timing means, a motor, motion transmitting meansincluding a clutch between the timing means and motor for driving thetiming means in one direction when the clutch is engaged, spring returnmeans for driving the timing means in the opposite direction when theclutch is disengaged, a control device, said control device having aspring biased operator which is moved against its bias by movement ofthe timing device to timed out position due to the clutch being engaged,means for operating the clutch to disengage it allowing return of thetiming means by its spring return means, and means for holding theoperator against its bias when the clutch is disengaged.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which a single lever actuatcsboth the clutch operating means and the holding means.

8. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which a single lever bodilycarries both the clutch operating means and holding means. l

9. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which the holding means isarranged to hold the operator before the clutch operating meansdisengages the clutch.

10. In a combination delay timer and interval timer, the combination of,spring return timing means,a motor, motion transmitting means includinga clutch connecting the motor and timing means for driving the timingmeans in one direction when the clutch is engaged, means for driving thetiming means in the opposite direction when the clutch is disengaged, acontrol device, means for actuating said control device in one directionwhen the timing means reaches a predetermined position, means includingan electro-magnetic controller for engaging or disengaging the clutch,and means actuated by the controller on disengaging the clutch forholding the control device in said one direction, said last named meansbeing arranged for field disablement for field converting the timer froman interval timer to a delay timer.

1. In a timing device, a control device having an actuating element, atiming gear having a bearing about which it rotates, a drive geararranged for engagement with the timing gear for driving the same whenthe gears are engaged, spring means for driving the timing gear when thegears are disengaged, means including an operator carried by said timinggear for moving the actuating element of the control device when thetiming gear is driven to a predetermined angle of rotation, and meansfor disengaging the gears laterally for allowing movement of the timinggear by the spring means, said disengaging means bodily carrying saidbearing and moving the timing gear laterally away from the drive gearsaid drive gear being yieldably supported and movable in a direction inwhich the driving force pulls it into engagement with the timing gear,and allows advancing of the timing gear faster than driven by the drivegear.
 2. The combination recited in claim 1 in which the disengagingmeans moves the bearing in a direction causing the engaging gear teethon the timing gear to move substantially radially from the engaging gearteeth on the drive gear, thereby separating the gears without rotationof the timing gear.
 3. In time control means, the combination of, acontrol device having an operator, said control device assuming onecontrol position when the operator is in a first position and assuming asecond control position when the operator is in a second position,timing means, a motor, motion transmitting means between the timingmeans and motor including clutch means, means controlled by the timingmeans when the clutch means is engaged for actuating said operator fromsaid first position to the second position when the timing means reachestimed out position, electro-magnetic control means having a firstposition and a second position, means actuated when the electro-magneticmeans is in its first position to engage the clutch means and todisengage the clutch means on movement of the electro-magnetic means toits second position, and means actuated on movement of theelectro-magnetic means to said second position for holding said switchoperator in its second position independently of the timing position ofthe timing means.
 4. The combination recited in claim 3 in which thecontrol device includes a switch having a control effect on theelectro-magnetic means.
 5. The combination recited in claim 3 in whichthe control device includes a switch which is caused to be open eitherby the timing means in its timed out position or by the electro-magneticmeans being deenergized, the switch closing when the electro-magneticmeans is energized, and circuit means whereby closure of the switchmaintains the electromagnetic means energized.
 6. In a timing device,timing means, a motor, motion transmitting means including a clutchbetween the timing means and motor for driving the timing means in onedirection when the clutch is engaged, spring return means for drivingthe timing means in the opposite direction when the clutch isdisengaged, a control device, said control device having a spring biasedoperator which is moved against its bias by movement of the timingdevice to timed out position due to the clutch being engaged, means foroperating the clutch to disengage it allowing return of the timing meansby its spring return means, and means for holding the operator againstits bias when the clutch is disengaged.
 7. The combination set forth inclaim 6 in which a single lever actuates both the clutch operating meansand the holding means.
 8. The combination set forth in claim 6 in whicha single lever bodily carries both the clutch operating means andholding means.
 9. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which theholding means is arranged to hold the operator before the clutchoperating means disengages the clutch.
 10. In a combination delay timerand interval timer, the combination of, spring return timing means, amotor, motion transmitting means including a clutch connecting the motorand timing means for driving the timing means in one direction when theclutch is engaged, means for driving the timing means in the oppositedirection when the clutch is disengaged, a control device, means foractuating said control device in one direction when the timing meansreaches a predetermined position, means including an electro-magneticcontroller for engaging or disengaging the clutch, and means actuated bythe controller on disengaging the clutch for holding the control devicein said one direction, said last named means being arranged for fielddisablement for field converting the timer from an interval timer to adelay timer.